The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-02-26

cute. say ~
"Nool Clayton, you can get up some
tough deviltry for man OF your stand-
ipg" laughed Royal, when he had fin
ished. swell, who 10 the girl?"
"Eugepie VAIL" answered Clayton.
GOOD God! Noel Clayton she WIS my
playmate and companion for years! We
were children together!' sa sl. =
"Yee," noddsd Clayton, that's why I
think you aro the best ons for the inh: she
wouldn't DO likely to suspect you. Just
oiler 10 escort her to the picnic at CRANKY
and she won't refuse you. Then it would
be easy to get her on the wrong train, and
leave her at soma ont-of-the-way station
and I'd meet her! She refused to be my
vile, and She'll see the day she'll be glad
to marry mew E's 5,E
"Noet Clayton, do you think will do
that t0ipg?" demanded the man, in etern
accents. 5z.-ss
"Of course I do, my boy. l happen to
have bit Of paper that will send you tn
prison for long term, and / rather think
you'llprefer obliging friend and earning
q hun0red dollars to going there. -
Tho angry flush died out OF Royals
eyes, and a look Of despair came into his
face. He muttered bitter curse upon his
'tinper. as ne aunk 10 his seat, hiding his
face with trembling hands. 1l" }s'.
-"Dun't you think you'll do that thing?"
said Clayton, mockingly.
81 must, suppose" muttered the man,
desperately. "and I pray Heaven l may
murder you for it, come time when you
get mo drunk" .H.. ,.si4 ~
"Pll risk it'll" laughed Clayton. you
arc too much coward for that" and he
lit cgar and st.olled carelessly away.
An hour later Royal Delsvan walked
up the shaded way that led through the
garden to Mr.. Wallis door, Bad as he was,
that door was never closed against him.
He was ever welcomed, and he knew that
he had no friend 60 true "a those whom
ho had just consented toso deeply wrong.
Miss Vail was alone, her father and her
sister, who kept house for him, being
away. She was gentle, lovely girl,
whone one.and-twenty years would not
have been guessed from her girlish face
and form. a dark flush Of shame rose to
Royals brow So he slammered reply to
her cordial greeting and getls reproof Of
his infrequent presence there. tS
More than once he had resolved to re.
fuse Clayton'sproposition ;but the thought
Of long years Of imprisonment was too
terrible TO ono go 'iulpatientof even eight
restraint, and he would not encourage the
suggestion. Taking advantage OF re-
mark. from Eugene with regard to the pic.
mic, he stammered a request that she would
attend it under his escort.
Eugerie looked ut him in calm surprise,
and her cheek flushed slightly, as che an.
swerod in decided tones:
Certainly not! l en- surprised that you
should ask IT," -
t"Why?" he demanded holly. But even
while he spoke his face grew red with
shame.
}"You know better than to AJAX Royal
Delavan. Do you think you are proper
escort for a young lady? You might
have been credit to yourself, and yet
what DIRE your" 1s.5 =
"a mean curse," lie retorted rscslesaly.
He was proud and passionate and che
had been prepared for slmost an angry re-
ply; but she was not prepared for that des.
perate explanation: !. b,
t,"You took your choice" she said at
length; ..but it ia not too lato to retract It,"
at is too la.e," said Royal, bitterly. =
ut is never too late. v Do right and |
will help you, il I can, dear Royal" she
pleaded. II
Royals voice shook with a strange tire.
NOR, and no shrunk from the touch OF her
hand upon his arm, .as he cried, vehe-
mently:I s., ia t5
~ do believe you are honestly my
friend, Eugenie. You have saved me
from worse sin than I ever yet commit.
ted" NJ. Il SfE \ ~ e
10 had taken his hat and was going,
but Eugene stopped him, asking in much
What do you ',, mean, Royal? Are you
in troubleT II go, you know that papa
eyes. I know" interrupted Royal.
"Mr. Vail has helped me out OF scrapes.
But this time it ia Of no use. I hope to
heaven You'll never know what came
here for today" and he was gone, while
Eugenie stood silent with amazemeut. =
Returning that evening from twilight
walk, her attention was drawn to cluster
ofiwild flowers, and she turned aside to
gather them. AS she was about to return
to the road, she saw Royal Delavan coming
slowly toward her, his arms folded and
his head bowed In an attitude Of deep
thought. ,fis 5S;a5 55.s1s
Directly opposite her place OF conceal.
ment Royal suddenly stopped and lifted
his head, and scowl Of hate spread over
his handsome and dissolute face as he
encountered the sneering smile Of Noel
Clayton. 3s-S tssai q Il Y :a$s
,6"Well, my lad" said Clayton, with
mocking tllppancy, shave you seen Ia
belle Eugene? ?" i!s,.. 5,:.-
.4!"Yee, and your devilish plot is ioilcd,
you villainl" flashed Royal. &,
What! wouldn't she accept your
"No; thank heaven she knew me too
we'll !"s ls,i y :Ssii r.
"Ita my opinion that you didn't try
hard to persuade her!" growled Clayton,
with lowering brows. "You can do as
you like about trying, but l tell you II
you don't get Eugene Vail into my power
before q week goes oyer your head, in
prison you shall 90 Y t$yly:5 ssss
III would die in prison before I'd do it.,
Ned Claytonl And il you dare harm q
hair Of her innocent head, Il swear III be
your death 10 ' y.
"You Will, will you Z I'll send you to a
felon'a prison, and then, perhaps, you'll
protect her." 5a!hyS 'sas.Is4
Eugenle waited till no was out Of sight,
and then discovered herself to Royals a.